Disappearing stairway



June 23, 1931. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed 001;. 27, 1928 INVENTOR. l ke/w Bassma BY 8% A TTORNEYJ PatentedJune 23, 1931 r UNITE} srAre-s PATENT. orsics remix E. nnssnnn or gAxnoit onio, .ASSIGNOR 'ro THE Bns'sLEn. DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY oo vrrnnon AKRON, OHIO, n CORPORATION ononro DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY Applicationnie'd 'o'eeeber 27, 1928. Serial no. s-ijs'Aao. N

This invention relates to disappearing starrwa'ys rand particularlydisappearing stairways of the folding type.

Folding stairways of the disappearing type which have heretofore beenmade have one or more sections,'comprising' the lower {portion of thestairway, which must be imnually folded and unfolded. Aside from thedisadvantage of the separate manual :Tactuation of these uncontrolledsections, they are likely tocause injury to-one operating the stairway.

A particular aob'ject of the invention, therefore, is to provide meansin combination with .th'estairway actuating mechanism for moving thefolding sections to and from their extended position.

. A further objectof-the invention is to provi deca handrail: incombination witha folding "stairway. 1 J

A. further object 'of the invention is to provide in combi'natio'n, with:a folding type 'of disappearingstairway power means;preferablyelectr'ic'al, for operating the same.

The foregoing and other objects f the invention are obtained in thedisappearing stairway illustrated the accompanying drawings anddescribed below. :It is to be understood that the invention-is-'not1imited *to the particular form thereof shown and described. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side "elevation, partly in section, of adisappearingstairway structure showing :it extended for use;

Figure2 is *a front-elevation thereof; I

F-igureil'is side elevation, partly-in section, shoiving the stairwayfolded in itsdisappear-in-g position;

Fig'ure t-isa wiring diagram for the stairway operating motor andco'ntrol switches "whenthe --stairwa-y is operated in one -direc- :tion;

Figure 5 isa-detail side'elevation,;partly "in c-sec'tion, of thestoppingand resetting switch control for the stairway operating motor;

Figure 6 'is a detail iehd: elevation of said "switch'control and v 1:Figure :7 -is ;a'-view similar to FigureAshowing of a lower room'givingaccess to an upper room. Pivoted at one end of said opening toswingdownwardly therefrom is a panel 11 on which is fixed sections 12 12of a pair of stringers 1'2, 12 having a plurality of foldable. sections12*, 12212312 and between which are secured treads v13, '13. Thesections 12 are hinged to sections 12:at 14, 14 and the sections 12 arehinged to sections 12 at 15, '15 so that section 12 of thelstairstructure is foldable ontosection 12 and section 121is then foldableonto'section 12"., allion .topof panel 11 as "is shown inFigure 3. V

- The-panel 11 is provided with supporting toggle linkages 16, 16,, theupper links 16*, 16 of which are connected to brackets 17, 17 on eachside of opening by vertically adjiistin'g means such as screws 17 1-7,and the lower links 16, 16 of wliiclrare pivotally connected to theouter sides of stringer sections 12 Reinforcing "plates .50 on. thestringer sections 12 may beemployed to facilitate the pivotal connectionof the links 16 thereto. The-iointofitoggles 16-is suitably designe'ditohold panel 11 again'stlifting until the toggles are broken.

A hand rail 181naybe provided-on either o'r each side of thestairway,:only one hand rail being herein shownon the right side thereof. Thishand rail is slidably rnount ed adjacent one end on a "rigid post 19extending up from stringer section 12 'andit is secured on a foldablepost 20 consisting of ing mounted on a stringer 12 v The stairwayactuating device includes two parts pivoted together at2 1,*post 20 be-"arins 22 preferably on both sides'o'f the stairway arranged to swingthrough opening 10 by being secured on a shaft 23 extending ,alongtheend of the opening 10 opposite that .at whichpanel 11is .pivoted.Arms 22 have "links'2 1, 24 connecting-stairway section .12

'thereto to be liftedor lowered by said arms. Toggle linkages 25,25connect links 24 130 upwardly directed entensions26 26 on stairwaysections 12, 12, toggle linkages be ing jointed at 25 In order, whenretracting the stairway, to break the toggles 16 as the stair structureis folded to permit elevation of the panel 11 to closed position, lugsor ears 31 are provided on the ends of links 2 1 which are hinged tostringers 12, the lugs being adapted to be swung into engagement withthe toggles as the folding of the stair structure is being completed,whereby further movement of the arms 22 swings the panel 11 upwardlyinto place.

Suit-able manually operable or power means may be provided for operationof the stairway. lhe preferred means comprises an electric motor 2?driving a shaft 23 through worm gearing 29 and worm gearing 30 fordriving shaft 23 from shaft 23.

Control of the motor is effected by means of suit-able manually operablethree-way switches 32 and 33 suitably located on the lower and upperfloors and connected as shown in Figures 4 and 7 through suit-ablestandard reversing switches 3% and 35 to the motor. In the wiringdiagrams the motor illustrated is a standard induction motor havingstarting leads 27 and running leads 2?. In Figure 4 is shown the wiringdiagram just after one of the operating switches 32 or 33 has beenthrown to start the motor. Both reversing'switches are automaticallythrown after operation of the stair structure to either of its positionsby means of fingers 36 and 37 fixed to collars 1-0 and ll adjustablyclamped by set screws 42 and 13 on shaft 23 engaging interacting switchelements 38 and 39. Figure 7 illustrates the wiring diagram after one ofthe fingers 36 or 37 has thrown the reversing switches 3 1 and 35. Itwill be seen that switch 34; has broken the circuit and stopped themotor. The circuit can be completed by throwing either operating switch32 or 33. However, when the circuit is again closed by either of theoperating switches the switch 35 has reversed the starting leads 2'? sothat the motor will be driven in the opposite direction, thus moving thestairway in the opposite direction. Elie other of the reversing fingers36 or 37 will then come into operation to stop the stairway, as will beapparent.

When not in use, the stairway is in its disappeared position shown inFigure 3. It is lowered to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 byoperating either switch 32 or 33, the

motor driving shaft 23 through the mechanism described, which swingsarms 22 downwardly. Arms 22 act first to swing panel 11 downwardly untilsuch movement is limited by. toggles l6 and then by continued movementto unfold the stair structure through links 24 and toggle links 25. Assection 12 of the stairway is swung into place, the joint ed post 20which is collapsed in disappeared position, is straightened out and handrail 18 slides downwardly on post 19 into its position of use. When thestairway is fully extended, the motor is stopped and connections arereversed as will be understood so that upon again actuating switch 32 or33 after use of the stairway it may be retracted.

In actuating the stairway to disappeared position by operation ofswitches 32 or 33, upward swinging of arms 22 first folds sections 12and 12 together on panel 11 and collapses post 20, sliding hand rail 18upwardly, toggles 16 holding the panel down during this operation. Earsor lugs 31 then engage and break toggles 16, whereupon continuedmovement of the arms 22 swings the panel 11 up into closed position,carrying the whole folded stair structure thereon.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a simple, effectivedisappearing stairway of the folding type has been provided withnumerous advantageous features and in which the disadvantages andparticularly the danger in the use of this type of stairway have beenovercome. Obviously modifications of the invention may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is 1. A disappearing stairway of the folding type foruse in an opening between lower and upper rooms, said stairwaycomprising a panel hinged at one end of said opening to close the same,toggle linkages for supporting the panel in its open position, saidlinkages being adapted to hold the panel against lifting until they arebroken, a foldable stair structure including one section mounted on topof said panel and two folding sections hinged together and to said firstsection and foldable on each other and onto the first section and a handrail slidably supported by a post on the first section and secured ontoa collapsible post on the adjacent folding section so as to be slidupwardly when the stairway is folded, means for operating said stairwayto and from an entended position, said means comprising arms one on eachside of the stairway adapted to be swung from the other end of theopening through the opening, links connecting the arms to the upperfolding section, toggle linkages connecting the said links to the otherfolding section, means associated with the stairway operating means andoperable against the firstnamed toggle linkage to break the same as thefolding of the stairway is completed in the disappearing operation, andmeans for swinging said arms comprising a shaft on which the arms aresecured, an electric motor for rotating the shaft, switch means forstarting the motor and means controlled by movement of the stairway forstopping the motor and for reversing the connection to the motor for asucceeding operation of the stairway as appeared positions.

2. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in anopening'between; lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panelhinged at one end of said opening to close the same, toggle linkages forsupporting'the panel in its open position, said linkages being adaptedto hold: the panel against lifting until they are broken, and a foldablestair structure including one section mounted ontop ofsaid panel and twofolding sections hinged together and to said first section and foldahleon each other and onto the first section, means for operating saidstairway to and from an extended position, said means comprising armsone on each side of the stairway adaptedto be swung from the other endof theopening through the opening, links connecting the arms to theupper folding section, toggle linkages connecting the said links to theother folding section, means associated with the stairway operatingmeans and operable against the first-named toggle linkage switch meansfor starting the motor and means controlled by movement of the stairwayfor stopping the motor and for reversing the connection to the motor fora succeeding operation of the stairway as the stairway is moy-edto itsextended or disappeared posi tions. r

3. A disappearing s'tairwayof the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedatone end of said opening to close the same, toggle linkages forsupporting the panel in its open position, said link ages being adaptedto hold the panel against lifting until they are broken and a foldablestair structure including one section mounted on top of said panel andtwo foldingsec tions hinged together and to said first section andfoldable on each other a-ndonto the first section, means for operatingsaid stairway to and from an extended'positiom'said means comprisingarms one on each side of the stairway adapted to be swung from the otherend of the opening through the opening, links connecting the arms to theupper folding-section, toggle linkagesconnecting the said links I totheother folding section, means associated with the stairway operating"means and operable against the firsthamed toggle linkage to break thesame as the folding ofthestair way is completed during the disappearingoperation, and means for swinging sald arms as the stairway is moved toits: extended or "disappeared positions.

4;. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, Said stairway comprising a panelhinged atone. end of Said opening to close the same, toggle linkages forsupportng the panel-in its open position, said linkges. being adapted tohold the panel againstlifting until they are broken and a foldable stairstructure including one section mounted on topofsaid panel and twofolding sections lunged together and, to said first section andfolda-ble on each other and onto the first sectio-n, means for operatingsaid stairway to and from an extended position, said means 7 comprisingan arm adapted to be swung from the other end of the opening through theopening, a link connecting the arm to the upper folding section, togglelinkage connecting the said link to the other folding section, meansassociated with the stairway operating means and operable against thefirst-named toggle linkage to break the same as the folding of thestairway is completed during the disappearing operation, and

means for swinging said arm comprising a shaft onwhich the arm issecured, an electric motor for rotating the shaft, switch means forstarting the motor and means controlled by movement of the stairway forstopping the motor and for reversing the connection .to the motor for asucceeding operation of the stairway as the stairway is moved toextended or disappeared positions.

7 5. A, disappearing stairway of the folding typefor use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said'stai-rway comprising apanel hi ngedat one end of said opening to close the same, toggle linkages. for suporting the panel in its open position, sai linkages being adapted tohold the panel against lifting until they are broken and a foldable itsstair structure including one section mounted on top of said panel andtwo folding sections hinged" together and to said first section andfoldable oneach other and onto the first "section, means for operatingsaid, stairway to and from an extended position, said means 1. ircomprlslng an arm adapted to be swung from the other end of the openingthrough the opening, a link connecting the arm to the upper foldingsection, toggle linkage con- 1 necting the said linkto the otherfoldingsec- -tion, means associated with the stairway operating meansand operable against the first- 'nained toggle linkage to break the sameas 'tions.

6. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end ofsaid openlng to -close the same, means for supporting thepanel in its open positionand adapted to holdthe panel against liftingand a foldable w stair structure including one section mounted on top ofsaid panel and two folding sections hinged together and to said firstsection and foldable on each other and onto the first section, means foroperating said stairway to and from an extended position, said meanscomprising arms one on each side of the stairway adapted to be swungfrom the other end of the opening through the opening, links connectingthe arms to the upper folding section, toggle linkages connecting thesaid links to the other folding section, means associated with thestairway operating means and operable to release the panel supportingmeans as the folding of the stairway is completed during thedisappearing operation, and means for swinging said arms comprising ashaft on which the arms are secured, an electric motor for rotating theshaft, switch means for starting the motor and means controlled bymovement of the stairway for stopping the motor and for reversing theconnection to the motor for a succeeding operation of the stairway asthe stairway is moved to its extended or disappeared positions.

7. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, means for supporting thepanel in its open position and adapted to hold the panel against liftingand a foldable stair structure including one section mounted on top ofsaid panel and two folding sections hinged together and to said firstsection and foldable on each other and onto the first section, means foroperating said stairway to and from an extended position, said meanscomprising arms on each side of the stairway adapted to be swung fromthe other end of the opening through the opening, links connecting thearms to the upper folding section, toggle linkages connecting the saidlinks to the other folding section, means associated with the stairwayoperating means and operable to release the panel supporting means asthe folding of the stairway is completed during the disappearingoperation, and means for swinging said arms as the stairway is moved toits extended or disappeared positions.

8. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, means for supporting thepanel in its open position and adapted to hold the panel against liftingand a foldable stair structure including one section mounted on top ofsaid panel and two folding sections hinged together and to said firstsection and foldable on each other and onto the first section, means foroperating said stairway to and from an extended position, said meanscomprising an arm adapted to be swung from the other end of the openingthrough the opening, a link connecting the arm to the upper foldingsection, toggle linkage connecting the said link to the other foldingsection, means associated with the stairway operating means and operableto release the panel support-ing means as the folding of the stairway iscompleted during the disappearing operation, and means for swinging saidarm comprising a shaft on which the arm is secured, an electric motorfor rotating the shaft, switch means for starting the motor and meanscontrolled by movement of the stairway for stopping the motor and forreversing the connection to the motor for a succeeding operation of thestairway as the stairway is moved to its extended or disappearedpositions.

9. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, means for supporting thepanel in its open position and adapted to hold the panel against liftingand a foldable stair structure including one section mounted on top ofsaid panel, and two folding sections hinged together and to said firstsection and foldable on each other and onto the first section, means foroperating said stairway to and from an extended position, said meanscomprising an arm adapted to be swung from the other end of the openingthrough the opening, a link connecting the arm to the upper foldingsection, toggle linkage connecting the said link to the other foldingsection, means associated with the stairway operating means and operableto release the panel supporting means as the folding of the stair- ,wayis completed during the disappearing operation, and means for swingingsaid arm as the stairway is moved to its extended or disappearedpositions.

10. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, toggle linkages forsupporting the panel in its open position, said linkages being adaptedto hold the panel against lifting until they are broken, a foldablestair structure including one section mounted on top of said panel andtwo folding sections hinged together and to said first section andfoldable on each other and onto the first section and a hand railslidably supported by a post on the first section and secured onto acollapsible post on the upper folding section so as to be slid upwardlywhen the stairway is folded, and means for operating said stairway toand from an extended position, said means comprising means for loweringand raising the panel and means associated therewith operable to unfoldthe foldable sections after the panel is lowered and to fold thefoldable sections before the panel is raised as the stairway is moved toits extended or disappeared positions.

11. A disappearing stairway of the folding type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, toggle linkages forsupporting the panel in its open position, said linkages being adaptedto hold the panel against lifting until they are broken, and a foldablestair structure including one section mounted on top of said panel andtwo folding sections hinged together and to said first section andfoldable on each other and onto the first section, and means foroperating said stairway to and from an extended position, said meanscomprising means for lowering and raising the panel and means associatedtherewith operable to unfold the foldable sections after the panel islowered and to fold the foldable sections before the panel is raised asthe stairway is moved to its extended or disappeared positions.

12. A disappearing stairway of the fold ing type for use in an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway com prising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, toggle linkages forsupporting the panel in its open position, said linkages being adaptedto hold the panel against lifting until they are broken, and a foldablestair structure including one section mounted on top of said panel andtwo folding sections hinged together and to said first section andfoldable on each other and onto the first section, and means foroperating said stairway to and from an extended position, said meanscomprising means for, lowering ans raising the panel and meansassociated therewith operable to unfold the foldable sections after thepanel is lowered and to fold the foldable sections before the panel israised as the stairway is moved to its extended or disappearedpositions.

13. A disappearing stairway of the fold ing type for usein an openingbetween lower and upper rooms, said stairway comprising a panel hingedat one end of said opening to close the same, means for supporting thepanel in its open position and adapted to hold the panel againstlifting, and a foldable stair structure including one section mounted ontop of said panel and two folding sections hinged together and to saidfirst section and foldable on each other and onto the first section, andmeansfor operating said stairway to and from an extended position, saidmeans comprising means for lowering and raising the panel and meansassociated there with operable to unfold the foldable sections after thepanel is lowered and to fold the foldable sections before the panel israised as the stairway is moved to its extended or disappearedpositions.

ng wa fe -us a penin e ve nl rnd p e ro ms, ai sta rw y mp is ng apaeelf iiese at ne eedr'b aid'qpen t h sam mea o pp r ies t e pan l itsspan p si ion and. adapt lilienan r s li Santana; u I section mount; edon mp f "saidpan el and two folding sections hinged together and to saidfirst section and foldable on each other and onto the first section, andmeans for operating said stairway to and from an extended position, saidmeanscomprising means for lowering and raising the panel and meansassociated therewith operable to unfold the foldable sections after thepanel is lowered and to fold the foldable sections before the panel israised as the stairway is moved toits extended or disappeared positions.

15. In a disappearing stairway adapted for use in an opening between alower and upper floor, a movable panel closure for the opening, afoldable stair structure carried by the panel, means for opening andclosing the panel, and means actuated thereby for positively unfoldingand folding the stairway.

16. In a disappearing stairway adapted for use in an opening between alower. and upper floor, a movable panel closure for the opening, afoldable stair structure carried by the panel, a collapsible hand railstructure associated with the stair structure, means for opening andclosing the panel, and means associated therewith for unfolding andfolding the stairway, said hand rail structure being collapsible byfolding of the stairway.

17. 111 a disappearing stairway adapted for use in an opening between alower and upper floor, a movable panel closure for the opening, afoldable stair structure carried by the panel, means for opening andclosing the panel, means associated therewith for unfolding and foldingthe stairway, power means for operating the panel opening and closingmeans, and control means for stopping and resetting the power means forreverse operation at the completion of each operation of the stairway.

18. In a disappearing stairway adapted for use in an opening between alower and upper floor, a movable panel closure for the opening, afoldable stair structure carried by the panel, and a collapsible handrail structure mounted on the stair structure and adapted to becollapsed by folding thereof.

19. In a disappearing stairway of the folding'type adapted for use in aceiling opening between a lower and upper floor, a panel hinged at oneedge of the opening providing a downwardly opening closurefor saidopening, a folding stair structure including three sect-ions hingedtogether end on end on said panel, automatic means for positivelyunfolding and folding the three sections of the stair t es", an ant-he;

structure when thepanel is open, said means including connectionsbetween the three sections, and means for supporting the panel in itsopen position, said means being adjustable to support the lower end ofthe unfolded stairway substantially at the lower floor level in roomshaving different ceiling heights.

FRANK E. BESSLER.

